For the next: Intrepid Bebe Asks, I talk to the lovely Sarah from @surrey_mama, Mum to two adorable girls: Amelie and Evie. Her rapidly successful blog surreymama.com has only been running a couple of months but she already has almost 1.5k instagram followers, and a loyal readership. Sarah also shared her dream travel destinations, and her top tips for new Parents.

If you aren’t familiar with Sarah and her blog, do check it out, from outfit inspiration, courtesy of her little girls, to days out around the Surrey village she calls home. She has also just started Vlogging, so watch this space 🙂

Tell us about yourself & your family?

I’m Sarah, wife to Nick and Mama to Amelie two and a half and Evie five months old. We live in the lovely Hersham village in Surrey. Amelie goes to preschool four days a week in our village which gives Evie and I quality time together which I love. I’m on maternity leave from my job in London and my husband works in Waterloo for a tech start up.

My sister runs an Instagram account @fitlifelucy and she’s been running that for a year. I saw how much she loved what she was doing so it inspired me to do the same.

The final push was feeling like I needed something to do for myself whilst I was on maternity leave. I loved the idea of having something I could look back on with the girls as small memories are forgotten so quickly.

Did you have pretty good tech skills before establishing your website or has it been a sharp learning curve?

I work in advertising as a Business Director, planning clients advertising campaigns and started out at a media agency as a digital planner buyer, so I have knowledge of the digital landscape overall but I’m no Website Designer! I have had to learn a lot to get up to speed in that respect. My husband however is a Digital Designer so I’ve had some hints and tips from him.

And how’s about photography, has that always been an interest of yours?

I have always loved photography but have never had the equipment or time to really learn. My husband treated me recently to a Canon EOS M3, so I am trying to learn now. I love the quality of pictures that you get with a good camera and now wish I had started using one sooner for Amelie’s first years.

What do you hope @surrey_mama gives its followers?

Inspiration and a snap shot into the life of a mummy with two girls. I like to give honest little stories of our day to day life, what we love and what we like to do. I hope people can relate to our stories and enjoy interacting with the content.

How has becoming a Mother changed you?

I don’t think it’s changed me hugely. I have always been very maternal and a mummy to everyone even before children. My youngest sister is 9 years younger than me so I always felt like a mini Mummy to her, so I suppose that’s where that nurturing side comes from.

Do you worry about the risk of feeling exposed or over sharing, be that with insights into your personal life or family photos?

In a way yes, there are some things I wouldn’t share. At the moment though I feel like I’m sharing my stories with a lovely community of mums, if that changed I probably wouldn’t share as much.

Where is your perfect spot to work/write from?

In our open plan family room. We had bi-fold doors put in last year and I love looking out on to the garden whatever the weather, I find it really relaxing. The light in that room is also amazing for photos!

Where would you like to be in five years time?

Very good question and honestly I’m not sure. The change from one to two children has been quite drastic so we’ll see… I hope happy, healthy and enjoying life with my wonderful family.

What advice would you give to a brand new Mama?

Everything is a phase. The sleepless nights can be tough but they end, the tantrums can be horrendous but they end as well. Enjoy the night snuggles as they end and suddenly they are nearly three and running away from you so cherish the moments when they don’t want to let you go…

And a new Dad?

It’s a massive adjustment for both of you so talk about it and support each other.

Most useless bit of advice you’ve been given?

It gets easier after the first 6 weeks… It doesn’t ever get ‘easy’, I think instead parenthood always poses new challenges.

What’s three IG accounts/blogs you enjoy following that we should take a look at?

This mama life – I love Sarah’s photos and her two little ones have an amazing style! I also really enjoy watching her vlogs she’s very relatable.

Small thing blog – Amy is really down to earth, honest and takes lovely photos. Our girls are a similar age so I feel like we have lots in common.

Today I primed – I love this Instagram account. Sophie is so funny and loves Amazon prime SO much!

Share a (or all three) book/podcast/show you’re loving right now?
Black mirror, I’m fascinated by programmes like this. I think it’s so interesting/scary as you can quite easily see the scenarios they play out happening.

Holiday or home?
Home, I love holidays and exploring new places but there is something comforting about being at home.

Favourite trip pre kids?
Our honeymoon to South Africa and Mauritius. We went on a safari and then had a beach holiday. The safari was one of the most amazing experiences, getting up close to the animals was a one in a lifetime experience.

Favourite family holiday?
Daios Cove and Watergate Bay Hotel in Cornwall. We haven’t been to many places as a family yet but these two have been wonderful trips. Daios Cove was a lovely adults holiday but with lots of activities for toddlers. Watergate Bay in Cornwall is wonderful. Beautiful views, amazing food, a family friendly pool and a baby listening service so you can go out to dinner

Childhood holiday memory?
Going to Barbados as a family when I was about 14. We’d losses three close family members in quick succession so my Dad decided to book this dream holiday with some of the inheritance. It was amazing and wonderful to all spend 2 weeks together.